Event Spaces Get Creative
With large public gatherings prohibited, event spaces have found unique ways to stay in business.
In 2018 the Seaside Civic and Convention Center underwent a $15 million renovation. The city had high hopes for the new facility. With more trade shows and conferences taking place year-round, the hope was that local businesses would be less dependent on summer tourists.
But like many in-person businesses over the past year, event spaces have taken a hit from COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings.
By hosting smaller events and finding creative sources of revenue, some meeting spaces have managed to adapt. Others have had to furlough staff and face indefinite closure.
After reviewing records showing how severely the pandemic has affected dozens of Baker County businesses, Bruce Nichols understands that nearly $700,000 in federal aid is no panacea.
âItâs a Band-Aid,â said Nichols, a Baker County commissioner who served as chairman of a committee that recently approved a total of $698,547 in grants to 67 businesses and nonprofit organizations. Many recipients are restaurants or other businesses in the hospitality industry, which have had severe restrictions imposed by the state during the pandemic.
The bandage reference isnât the only metaphor Nichols employs thatâs reminiscent of discussions in a triage unit.
âI hope this is a tourniquet for some of these businesses,â Nichols said on Tuesday, Dec. 29. âItâs really sad, the amount of losses that were involved in some of these businesses.â